Vale Gay Hawkes, 1942–2025

Sad news arrived today of the death on 15 September, 2025 of Tasmanian artist Gay Hawkes after a recent major stroke. This uniquely talented woman was well known for her sculptural furniture and artworks made from found and recycled materials.

Her house, belongings and tools were destroyed in the Dunalley bushfire in 2013 and a retrospective exhibition of her work in 2022 at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery entitled The House of Longing echoed her deep sense of loss.

Gay Hawkes started making furniture at the age of 39 at the suggestion of an art school teacher but her creativity extended further to painting, music, poetry as well as teaching and community work. She undertook residencies all over the world and her works are held in public and private collections.

A few years ago, Carol Russell drove down from Launceston to meet Gay Hawkes for the profile later completed that now appears in the current issue (#128) of Australian Wood Review magazine. The article is illustrated with the wonderful images taken by Peter Whyte.

You can hear Gay’s voice and learn a little of her life story in the ABC Arts video below.